As for Chez Panisse, do the upstairs cafe. It's almost the same menu as downstairs most nights, easier to get into and I find it much more relaxing and enjoyable. You will still need reservations though.

If you go to the Golden Gate Bridge, skip the tourist viewpoint on the northeast side, instead take the Alexander Ave exit, go under the freeway and back up the hill on the other side. There's a parking lot about halfway up the hill. Walk toward the bridge through a WWII bunker and get an amazing view without all the pesky tourists.

Also, I like the view of the GG Bridge from Fort Point. If you go when it's open the rangers are dressed in Civil War Union soldier regalia with boots and all.

Primavera Sat

I love the view of the city from the Headlands across the bridge. If you are up for the walk across the bridge you will not need a car, if you can find someone with a car, or if you are bringing, renting, borrowing, there is nothing like the drive across and over to the headlands and the old military bunkers up there.

one of my favorite places to eat is Firefly - in Noe Valley. Beautiful, ethereal, imaginative and friendly. A great place to get away from the "scene" and just be.

Enjoy your trip. Your life looks so busy. Joe and I are headed to California for 10 days in July, I forget where you said you will be, but it was not near us.

Enjoy your trip - I wish I could be you for just part of it, it looks awesome.

Oh, one silly thing that I always love is walking down Lyon Street from Pacific heights to the marina... it turns into steps that seem to go right through the private gardens of some major mansions up in PH. it runs right along the edge of the presidio.

One night, at about 3 in the morning, a "friend" and I were looking for a place to be alone and we snuck under a fence and into the presidio from Lyon's steps, thought we found the perfect place and stumbled across a pair of high school boys getting busy...

They were so scared, and shy, and panic-ed... We talked them out of their panic, told them everything was ok, and walked away smiling to ourselves. I never did give that "friend" the bj I promised, but it still was an amazing moment.